..續本文上一頁most beneficial, therefore this practice is only imagined. Imagining one”s body arranged on a mandala and offering it in chod is an exceptional way of being generous.

　　Releasing the Four Faults into the Vast Expanse of Space

　　The purpose of Vajrayana practice is to become free of four faults. They are the fault of thinking or believing one is godly or special, the fault of disturbing emotions, the fault of fearing death and the fault of believing that all or a few of the five skandhas are the self.10 The four faults are described a little differently in chod.

　　The chod instructions say that (1) the first fault is thoughts, for example thinking, “This is red, and that is white,” “There are mountains over here and lakes over there,” “This is beautiful, that isn”t.” Having thoughts that are a fault refers to personal judgements. Thinking that one thing is good subtly implies that other things are bad. Attachment to what one thinks is good and aversion against what one thinks is bad are born due to thoughts. If they aren”t cut, thinking that apprehensions are real and being influenced by one”s personal discursiveness as a result lead to greater and greater obstacles. During meditation practice, awareness needs to be precise. One needs to detect slightest movements of the mind. What does one do when one notices that attachment (that eventually turns into passion and greed) arises

　　 One does not follow the thought, leaves it alone and simply sees that it disappears into the vast expanse of space.

　　(2) The second fault is being without thoughts. All thoughts of greed, jealousy, pride, etc. are based upon thinking things are real. When thoughts that are conceived due to believing that things are real cease, joy can arise in the mind of a practitioner. After a short while, this joy ceases, and fright and doubt suddenly spring up in the mind. Similar feelings are not emotions. They are non-referential and therefore called “absence of thoughts.” Being without thoughts is a feeling that has no reference. What does one do when this happens

　　 One needs to notice the sensation, cut it with PETH and remain in pure awareness.

　　(3) The third fault is being joyous, which also arises because one clings to a self. While practicing, one can feel very happy that things are going so well. One can even be happy that signs of accomplishment have become evident, or that one is progressing along the path, or that one is really good. Such joy about one”s progress becomes a problem if one clings to it. Progress is obstructed by such arrogance, which stops wholesome qualities from increasing. Joy happens naturally and is not bad, but it becomes a fault if one clings to it. What should one do when this happens

　　 One recognizes the error, says PETH and rests without a thought and without a reference.

　　(4) The fourth fault is being stubborn, which is also based upon the mistaken belief in a self. Even though one may know that there is no self, one often stubbornly insists that there is, for example by thinking, “I have to do something good” or “I should not be bad.” The idea of a self is present in such thoughts. Although these thoughts are not wrong but can lead to good results, they become a fault if one is influenced by the idea of a self and acts as though it were true - that creates problems. Therefore being stubborn is a fault that needs to be cut off. How does one do this

　　 By recognizing that the idea of a self arose, saying PETH and letting it go, all on its own.

　　Taking Bodhisattva Vows

　　Taking bodhisatva vows means opening one”s heart for bodhicitta. It is a wonderful moment in life, and I am very happy when I am able to help those persons who wish to take it by performing the ceremony. Why is it such an exceptional moment in one”s life

　　 Cou…

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